Distance Learning

One doesn’t need to look far to find handfuls of reports on labor trends and the educational assets our graduates will need to fill jobs related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers.

According to the 2007 Department of Labor Report (The STEM Workforce Challenge: the role of the Public Workforce System in a National Solution for a Competitive Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce) “American pre-eminence in STEM will not be secured or extended without effort and investments. Trends in K-12 and higher education science and math preparation, coupled with demographic and labor trends, point to a serious challenge: our nation needs to increase the supply and quality of “knowledge workers” whose specialized skills enable them to work productively within STEM industries and occupations.”

In order to help students explore STEM careers, Iowa Public Television is providing a series of free ICN sessions related to STEM careers. During these sessions, students will have the opportunity to meet various professionals in IOWA who are working in STEM careers. Students also have an opportunity to see the professional on the job as we will be viewing a short video produced by IPTV during the session.

Environmental Engineer

This Civil Engineer (environmental focus) works for the Iowa Department of Natural resources. She is a great example of a professional engineer who is working in an interesting and needed career in Iowa and in fact, in the world.

She works in the area of waste water construction. Her job is to assure that the water that comes out of a facility is assimilated back into a water system. She oversees the building of wastewater treatment facilities in Iowa and assures that they meet design standards and Iowa code.

She was raised in China and earned her advanced degrees in the United States. She will talk to your students about her job and her education as well as advise your students on what they should be doing now, in high school, if they wish to pursue a degree in engineering.

Teachers, sign up today to join this session today to meet this professional who really enjoys helping people and is helping to assure the future of clean water in Iowa.

Suggested Prerequisites:

Session Related Web sites:

School to Careers (www.careers.iptv.org) - Teachers, students and parents explore the world of work via the STC Web site. Job descriptions, video clips and links to additional resources can be accessed through this Web site. The STC database features occupations in health, engineering, business, agriscience, human services and the arts. Career searches can be done by keyword, occupation, subject or Career Pathway.

PBS LearningMedia, a dynamic platform offering the best of public media content and produced specifically for PreK-16 teachers. With free access to over 14,000 high-quality resources tied to national standards, teachers can download, save and share exactly what they need for an inspired classroom experience. Sign up is free and easy! Learn more about PBS LearningMedia.

PBS Teachers - PBS Teachers offers free lesson plans, professional development and more for preK-12 educators.

Only twelve 'interactive' sites are scheduled for each session. 'View-only' sites will be considered and added when possible after twelve 'interactive' sites are confirmed for a session. Videotaping is NOT available.

Sessions are provided at no cost by Iowa Public Television in collaboration with the
Iowa Communications Network to PK-12 students and the adults working with or on behalf of PK-12 students in Iowa. If you are not employed by a school district or an AEA please register at library sites only.